The days are long but the years are short, right? And most parents I know love their kids dearly but also are looking forward to a quiet evening for a reconnect and a recharge!
When they are babies, you get a baby routine pretty well. It involves food, diaper, and rocking, most of the time. Those are precious times, and if you’re in that stage, I know, it’s SO intense! But it’s also one of the sweetest I know. Enjoy those fleeting moments and precious little fingers! I recommend singing. After all, your voice is important to them, and even if you don’t think you’ll make the next big TV singing show, it matters!
But, as they grow, you probably find yourself developing this along the way. The toddler bed, the bunk beds…. I’d like to share a little of what I’ve learned so far. My caveat is: we are still a work in progress (truth!) and I’ll probably update this post in a few weeks with our latest developments!
8 steps for a bedtime routine
- Plan for tomorrow. Set out your clothes (if older, and especially if you need specific school clothes), check for beloved plush stuffed animals and dolls or blankies. Get that last drink of water with a warning: it helps during potty training! Bonus tip: put up a list of “everything you need to do before bed” on the bathroom mirror!
- Get into pjs. I knew a family that did this pretty early, like an hour or half an hour beforehand. Smart: less hectic than at the actual bedtime! Alas, we have yet to introduce this one.
- Floss, brush teeth, and for older ones, mouthwash. Talk to your dentist, but I’ve always brushed their teeth for years. Like 7 years or 8 years old kind of long. It’s worth it!
- Read a book. Originally, we read our oldest three books (ah! The perks and privileges of being eldest!). When his brother was old enough to want to pick his own (that doesn’t take long!), it was two each. Now, each of the three kids gets one book, and it’s pretty long; the oldest prefers a chapter out of a (younger audience) chapter book. I love to read, though, so I don’t mind. It’s a great investment in their minds and imagination, it shares my own love of books. If one parent is more of a reader, that can really work out. If neither of you are, it provides some structure to make sure some books are part of your culture. If both of you are avid readers, well, you get to fight over it. Haha. Anyway, it’s precious if an aunt or grandma is available or visiting to be able to read, too!
- Goodnight Time (Part 1)! Next, someone or several people say goodnight, depending on who is leaving the room that night!
- Sing songs. This is left over from singing my oldest to sleep. I do a variety of them, but kids like “kid songs” (simple) best, and again, your voice is sweet to them, at least at the early ages! A simple “Whole World in
- Pray. We are a household of faith, so this is significant for us. It’s great to thank God and reflect on your day, and pray for a good night’s sleep!
- Goodnight Time (Part 2)! I try to speak good things over them last thing before they sleep. Some sort of word of encouragement, so as I hug and kiss them, I try to say something that I love about them, or enjoyed with them that day. “I love you” works perfectly!
what about older kids?
We are currently transitioning. Now we have more of an elementary age household, and we are discussing simplifying the evening, including family hang out time (no screens), and adjusting the time. Reading will move to after school!
I was talking about bedtimes once to a friend with older kids. She’ll send everyone to their rooms to read and come around to see them and say goodnight, making the rounds. I figure that’s a great strategy for independent readers!
Some families are way less regimented than us! As long as you are meeting your kids’ needs and filling up their little “buckets” (of affection for instance), it’s really super flexible. You may belong to a family that loves to change it up constantly! If so, I’d love to hear how you juggle it!
Maybe some of the family are cheerful and energetic morning people, in which case, you may find yourselves with a more complex morning family routine and a simple, quick evening one. If you’re that sort of family, please let me know what you do!
Whatever you choose, I hope this gave you some ideas to implement, and I would love to hear what you do in your household, what you wish were doing, and what you tried but didn’t work! Let me know!
I loved reading this! We have a similar routine. But I would love to incorporate singing. 🙂 it is such a precious time in our home. X
I’m so glad you liked it! Sorry it took so long to reply; I am still learning how! 😀 I hope you’ve been able to add a little singing to your evenings!